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Sixteen mentally disabled adults who were at risk of homelessness now have a place to live. KPBS reporter Susan Murphy tells us their new lifeline is a restored century-old hotel in downtown San Diego.

A century-old hotel, destroyed by a fire in 2004, has been restored and is giving a new lifeline to low-income, mentally disabled adults who are at risk of homelessness.

A century-old hotel, destroyed by a fire in 2004, has been restored and is giving a new lifeline to low-income, mentally disabled adults who are at risk of homelessness.

KPBS News

Dallas Edge holds up his new set of keys to his studio home at The Mason, on February 28, 2013. The restored low-income housing unit on Fifth Avenue in downtown San Diego is one of several projects to help end chronic homelessness.

San Diego Housing Commission

The Mason is a turn-of-the-century apartment building of approximately 17,740 square feet, located at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Ash Street.

San Diego city leaders gathered Thursday morning to celebrate the restoration of The Mason hotel located on Fifth Avenue.

The 17,740 square foot facility is now home to 16 residents, including Dallas Edge, who said it’s the first time in 13 years that he’s had a key to his own home.

"It's wonderful, and it's got everything," he said. "It’s a community minded building, I feel very safe, I’ve got access to all the major buses and trolleys, access to downtown San Diego."

Each studio unit has a bedroom area, kitchenette and private bathroom. A community room on the lower level has computers, couches, TV and a kitchen.

Residents will also receive mental health supportive services.

The Mason, funded in part by a $2.7 million loan from the San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) is just one of many low income housing units around downtown San Diego being developed for at risk homeless people.

SDHC is also renovating the Hotel Sanford, located next door to the Mason. It will soon be home to 130 low-income seniors. Another project, Celadon, on 9th and Broadway recently broke ground and will provide 250 rental apartments for families, as well as youth aging out of foster care.

I remember when the City drove out the business McPhearson Leather, and then really did nothing with the ground floor business anyway. I hope there can be some interesting and useful storefronts there.